UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to education.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF India is strengthening its education financing agenda to promote adequate, equitable and efficient public financing for school education. The UNICEF India Education Financing Strategy identifies evidence-informed advocacy, public financial management, capacity strengthening, improved resource allocation and expenditure efficiency as key areas of engagement.

The consultant will provide technical support across four interconnected areas of Public Financing for Education:

(i) Provide technical inputs from a PFM & Education financing perspective and support finalization and operationalization of UNICEF India's Education Financing Strategy;

(ii) Provide technical inputs to the adaptation and contextualization of the Financing for Children/Education Financing capacity-strengthening programme, including India-specific cases, practical applications and technical support to agreed training delivery;

(iii) Provide independent technical review, quality assurance and advisory support to the agency undertaking the “Diagnosis of Efficiency and Equity in Budget Execution under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme in India”; and

(iv) Undertake and support education financing analysis and translate evidence and study findings into policy, knowledge and stakeholder engagement products to inform UNICEF India's education financing agenda.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Public Financing for Education Consultant.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...

Minimum requirements: |(Qualifications/Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills)

Education: Advanced university (Master's degree or above) degree in Economics / Public Finance / Development Economics / Education / Social Sciences or another relevant field.
Work Experience: A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in public finance, public financial management (PFM), budget analysis, education financing, public expenditure analysis or related areas
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
Education financing and public finance expertise: Strong understanding of India's public finance and education financing architecture, including Union-State fiscal relations and financing arrangements, with demonstrated experience in analyzing government budgets, expenditure, fund flows, budget execution, equity and efficiency.
Research, analytical and quality assurance expertise: Demonstrated experience in policy-oriented research, diagnostic studies, public expenditure reviews or similar assignments, including reviewing methodologies, analytical frameworks, data and findings and providing technical quality assurance.
Policy translation and knowledge products: Strong ability to synthesize complex public finance evidence into clear, actionable policy recommendations, with demonstrated experience developing policy briefs, analytical reports, presentations and other knowledge products for policy audiences.
Capacity strengthening and facilitation: Demonstrated experience in designing, adapting and/or delivering capacity-strengthening programmes on public finance, budgeting, PFM or education financing, including development of practical case studies, exercises or other learning materials.
Stakeholder engagement and coordination: Demonstrated experience working with government, UN agencies and/or development partners, including engagement with research or consulting teams and facilitation of technical and policy discussions.
Strong written and verbal communication in English.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Hindi is desirable.
Desirables:
Previous experience working on education financing or PFM reforms in India at Union and/or State level, including familiarity with major education financing mechanisms such as Samagra Shiksha, would be an asset.
Prior experience working with UN, government agencies, or INGOs is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV): An updated CV clearly demonstrating how the candidate meets all the requirements outlined in the ToR.
Cover letter: (maximum 2 pages): Outlining the candidate’s understanding of the scope of work and activities, motivation to undertake the assignment, and suitability/fit for the role.
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal for Public Financing for Education Consultant.docx
A detailed technical proposal:

The candidate is required to submit two relevant writing samples produced within the last three years: Research / Diagnostic / Analytical Study Sample: One substantial research, diagnostic or analytical study demonstrating relevant analytical expertise. The sample should preferably be one for which the candidate was the first author. Where the candidate was not the first author, they should clearly indicate their role and substantive analytical or technical contribution.
Public Finance / Education Financing / Policy Analysis Sample: One substantial analytical or policy writing sample related to public finance, education financing, PFM, budget/expenditure analysis, fund flows, equity/efficiency or related social-sector financing issues.

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Public Financing for Education Consultant (Remote with possibility of travel), 11.5 months, New Delhi